Aldehyde oxidase (AOX1)

Oxidase with broad substrate specificity, oxidizing aromatic azaheterocycles, such as N1-methylnicotinamide, N- methylphthalazinium and phthalazine, in addition to aldehydes, such as benzaldehyde, retinal, pyridoxal, and vanillin. Plays a key role in the metabolism of xenobiotics and drugs containing aromatic azaheterocyclic substituents.

Participates in the bioactivation of prodrugs like famciclovir, catalyzing the oxidation step from 6-deoxypenciclovir to penciclovir, which is a potent antibacterial agent. May be a prominent source of superoxide generation via the one-electron reduction of molecular oxygen.